Socio-economic vulnerability and resilience of regions in Poland and Slovakia

Program:

Medziakademická dohoda (MAD)

Project leader:

RNDr. Székely Vladimír CSc.

Annotation:

Terms vulnerability and resilience comes from environmental studies and become more popular in social and economic sciences. The main aim of the common project is to take a closer look on this topic and see how regions of Poland and Slovakia cope with these issues. What are the common risks which both countries will have to face, and how important they are for different regions? Therefore present application will be focused on investigating various types of risks for regions, how they reacted in the past and how authorities can adapt to the present changes.The aim of the joint research project is to recognise, identify, explore various risk related to socio-economic processes and their influence in regional and national scales on living conditions, quality of life, social well being, economic growth on the regional level. The task will be accomplished by creating the system of indicators, according to the following steps: firstly a connection of some indicators with economic, social and environmental dimensions, then with the descriptive categories of vulnerability and resilience and finally, the macro-themes that define them; selection of elementary variables defined in the theoretical step; and create at the level of macro-variables and, in a second moment, at the level of the vulnerability and resilience descriptors. Those actions will allow to create tool for regional analysis which can produce an assessment, as synthetic as comprehensive at the same time, of regional vulnerability and resilience.

The overall objective of the Compass project is to provide an authoritative comparative report on territorial governance and spatial planning systems in Europe. It will substantially improve the knowledge base on territorial governance and spatial planning, and in particular, their role in the formulation and implementation of EU Cohesion Policy. The project will investigate 32 European countries (the 28 member states plus four ESPON partner countries), and in the first stage evaluate the feasibility of including seven additional countries: the EU candidate countries and other countries of the Western Balkans. In order to provide sufficient in-depth knowledge of the form and operation of territorial governance and spatial planning across 39 countries, the project leader Delft University of Technology is assisted by a consortium of eight further partners and 16 sub-contractors.

Urban Green Spaces (UGS) are an integral part of urban ecosystem. Recently, UGS are considered to be of substantial importance for the quality of life, since they have significant impact on ecosystem functions, local microclimate and air quality, as well as on aesthetical perceptions. Remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) provide powerful tools for mapping and analysis of UGS at various spatial and temporal scales. With the availability of high resolution remote sensing images and multi-source geospatial data, there is a great need to transform Earth observation data into useful information necessary for urban planning and decision making. Therefore, the current research is focused on selection and application of a set of urban indicators based on remote sensing data by implementing spatial analysis.The aim of this project is to investigate and mapping the spatial distribution of urban green spaces in selected study areas in Bulgaria and Slovakia using remote sensing data. Different categories of vegetation, that is detectable in remote sensing data will be mapped and quantified in accordance with the extended CORINE Land Cover nomenclature (5th level). Auxiliary demographic data, climatic data and other statistical data related to urban development will be used for spatial analysis. Selected urban indicators based on remote sensing data will be calculated to support decision making.

Urban sprawl mapping in Slovakia and Bulgaria based on an extended CORINE Land Cover nomenclature

Program:

Medziakademická dohoda (MAD)

Project leader:

RNDr. Kopecká Monika PhD.

Annotation:

Urban sprawl represents one of the most significant landscape transformation with the increasing rate of negative impact on the environment (eg. soil sealing). Urbanization is one of the major environmental problems in the near future as the world\’s urban population is expected to double from 3.3 billion in 2007 to 6.4 billion in 2050 (UN Population Fund, 2007). The study of changes in urbanization is crucial for urban planning, environmental protection and resource management. Remote sensing data is one of the main sources of information for mapping the state and changes in land cover and land use, particularly related to urbanization.The aim of this project is to investigate increase of artificial surfaces in selected study areas using multitemporal analyses of very high resolution satellite images (VHR). An extended CORINE Land Cover nomenclature will be developed to identify and describe changes of artificial surfaces. Apart from the results obtained by remote sensing data analyses of demographic and other statistical data related to regional development will be used to describe driving forces of the urban sprawl.

Valorisation and Sustainable Development of Cultural Landscapes using Innovative Participation and Visualisation Techniques

Program:

Multilaterálne – iné

Project leader:

RNDr. Hanušin Ján CSc.

Annotation:

The general objective of the project is to protect Central European (CE) cultural landscapes by supporting sustainable regional development and by linking nature/landscape protection with socio-economic development. These objectives correspond directly to the objectives of priority 3 (using our environment responsibly) and area of intervention 3.1. (developing a high quality environment by managing and protecting natural resources and heritage). To reach these aims, the project makes available new technological solutions (like 3D visualisation and GIS databases) as well as participatory moderation methods (using the Agenda 21 approach) to local and regional landscape development scenarios.

Spatial analysis and assessment of landscape structure and changes in selected region of Slovakia and Bulgaria based on remote sensing data for the period 1990-2006

Program:

Medzivládna dohoda

Project leader:

RNDr. Kopecká Monika PhD.

Annotation:

The project objectives are:- to identify, analyse and assess landscape structure and changes in selected territorie in Bulgaria and Slovakia for 3 time horizons (1990-200-2006) using the same methodological procedure in order to receive comparable results,- to compare essential differences in the landscape dynamics and- to explain regional specific features in development of the landscape as determined by different natural and positional conditions and traditions of the social and economic development of both countries.

Integrated Approach of the Recovery of the Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Regional Development

Program:

Medzivládna dohoda

Project leader:

Prof. RNDr. Huba Mikuláš CSc.

Annotation:

The sub-project activities are focused on preparation of: The definite list of co-workers and their expressed consent with collaboration accompanied by the specified scope and form of cooperation.Proposal of model territories/Explanatory Report. List or citations of documents necessary for the successful implementation of the individual project.Summary of selected supporting documents necessary for the application. Feasibility Study of the individual project. The complete application for the individual project (including annexes).

Duration:

1.12.2007 – 7.7.2008

PANet2010 – Zlepšenie siete chránených území v oblasti Tatier

Improvement of the protected area network; example: the Tatra region

Program:

INTERREG

Project leader:

RNDr. Hanušin Ján CSc.

Annotation:

The project emphasizes the management of networks of protected areas and certified regions. The project intends to theoreticallyprepare and practically implement "functional networks" of protected areas in order to improve positive regional economic effects; communicative and participative processes ("cooperative management"); the financial situation and conservation issues by creating synergies between individual protected areas.

National

Changes in Agricultural Land Use: Assessment of the Dynamics and Causes Applying Land Cover Data and Selected Environmental Characteristics

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

Mgr. Pazúr Róbert PhD.

Annotation:

Localities with agricultural use are among the most dynamic ones regarding the size and susceptibility to changes. Data obtained by remote sensing play an irreplaceable role in the analysis and spatial differentiation ofthis dynamics. Nature and span of changes, however, is modified by different socio-economic factors and natural conditions. The principal aim of this Project is to comprehend changes in the agricultural landscape in the period from 1970 to 2012 by identification of changes in agricultural land use and assessment of factors determining their frequency. The Project lays particular emphasis on the assessment of extensification, intensification and constructions on the farmland. The Project also assesses changes in agricultural land use in the forthcoming 60 years in Slovakia by means of innovative methods. Regarding the nature of the Project, which locates it in aninterface of humanities and natural sciences, the expected outputs offer a vast potential both for the science and planning.

Analysis of temporal-spatial dynamics of the selected cultural landscape structures in Slovakia, their protection and sustainable use

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

RNDr. Hanušin Ján CSc.

Annotation:

Content and interpretation of the cultural landscape concept are ambiguous. This fact has negative impact on practical landscape management and protection, territorial planning, legal order and public dministration. An overview of the state-of-the-art of cultural landscape studies in literature, specification of theoretical and themethodological basis for the needs of the project is the first objective. The following step is the assessment of the processes, which cause changes in structures of cultural landscape on various hierarchic levels: local,microregional and regional. Studies of structure of cultural landscape and its changes (natural, socio-economic, cultural and historical characteristics) specific methodological procedures are applied on each level. Then the trends of changes are assessed, framework principles and rules of protection and sustainable management of cultural landscape taking into account the concept of sustainability are established.

The aim of the project is to present basic methodological procedures of integrated assessment and management of flood risk on regional level using case studies. Integrated flood risk management is the result of combination of data about systemic and random factors determining the potential of flood hazard in a basin and the data expressing vulnerability of social, economic and environmental systems of the territory to flood. The necessary entry data are obtained by field research, questionnaire enquiry, from geodata and dasymetric mapping. Evaluation ends by identification of spatial variability of flood risk in a basin. Flood risk management is based on the concept of optimal strategy of flood risk management, which is the result of combined reduction of flood scope strategy, reduction of vulnerability strategy and the strategy for mitigation of the negative consequences.

Response of geomorphic-sedimentary connectivity/disconnectivity in fluvial system to environmental impacts

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

RNDr. Lehotský Milan CSc.

Annotation:

The project is aimed at research of sediment fluxes/landforms connectivity/disconnectivity in gravel bed and andering-braided river systems and the bypassed reach of a large river. The long-term as well as short-termvariability of sediment/landforms coupling due to human and climate changes impacts are investigated using the multi-temporal analysis of remote sensed data as well as data obtained by field campaigns. Attention is paid tothe research of river connectivity/disconnectivity adjustment due to recent short-term land cover changes at the atthe catchment scale, to recognition of the spatial variability in connectivity as a response to long term changes atthe valley segment scale, to assessment of channel-floodplain linkages of different channel landforms, theirresponse in succession of vegetation, floodplain roughness characteristics, to giving insight into the couplingoperation at reach scale as the response of contemporary fluctuations in hydrological regime (extreme flood events).

Regional divergence, spatial disparities and marginal regions in the context of socio-economic development in Slovakia

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

RNDr. Michálek Anton CSc.

Annotation:

One of the priorities of the EU cohesion programme is to project the results of economic growth into elimination of disparities between regions. In spite of preference (also financial) given to this aim it is obvious, that the policy ofregional convergence does not have the expected effects and requires search for new options for the solution of problems determined by increasing divergence. The aim of the project is to investigate disparities and problemsof some mostly marginal regions (MR) of Slovakia in the context of relevant divergence theories of regional development. The project focuses on the analysis of relationships and implications between economic growth,socio-economic and demographic development, regional divergence and disparities and their qualitative and quantitative expression. Empirical aim of the project will be to classify socio-economic MR, determine the rate of their marginality and to assess and predict their future development in case the trend of regional divergence would continue.

Development trajectories of localities and regions – product of sector and spatial policies, territorial capital and decisions

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

RNDr. Székely Vladimír CSc.

Annotation:

Localities and regions with different values of their territorial capital are subject to not only continuous development but also to dynamic changes. Their different trajectories have been caused by specific responses to globalisation, dynamic changes in sector and spatial policies, which influence strategic, spatially selectivedecisions of investors and common population. Presence or absence of development incentives in localities and regions along with the level of their adaptation to the changed conditions and a creative use of their endogenous potential lead to a distinct spatial differentiation. The aim of the project is search for causes and mapping (identification) of impact of changes on the assessment and use of the territorial capital of selected localities and regions on preservation or change of their development paradigms and trajectories.

Specifics of time-space human behaviour under the impact of socio-economic changes

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

Prof. RNDr. Ira Vladimír CSc.

Annotation:

The aim of the project is the analysis and assessment of time-space behaviour of population under the impact of socio-economic changes. Two social phenomena will be the focus of this project. The first is transformation of retail under the effects of globalisation and internationalisation and the implicated change of population’s shopping behaviour. The second phenomenon is the change of population’s everyday life with numerous specificities of time-space behavioural patterns depending of nature of environment (urban, suburban and rural). The project is based on the methodical and conceptual framework of time-geography using new procedures in collecting and analysis of individual time-space records. First of all it is advanced processing data in the GIS (network analysis 3D modelling, etc.) Using the dual record of population’s activities by means of time-space budgets (diaries) and precise GPS location it is possible to obtain a unique database about everyday life with high time-space precision.

Production, verification and application of population and settlement spatial models based on European land monitoring services

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

Prof. RNDr. Oťaheľ Ján CSc.

Annotation:

The progress in geoinformatics and remote sensing techniques boosted the production and usage of spatial datasets not only related to land but increasingly also to society. European Soil Sealing Layer (SSL) and European Population Density Grid (PDG) are among the most frequently used of these datasets. While SSL is detailed portray of built-up areas, PDG is a disaggregated population raster based on CORINE Land Cover(CLC). The objective of the project is to validate SSL in Slovakia and to employ the validated SSL along with CLC in production of spatial models of population and settlement in Slovakia that are more accurate than PDG.Preliminary versions of the models will be applied to the solutions of particular problems (e.g. urban and rural settlement delineation, areal interpolation methods assessment) in order to be verified and further improved.

Interests of society driven by the economic development and human sources represent the major forces behind changes of cultural landscape. The character and scope of changes though, depend on natural conditions. Physical condition of landscape and land use (LU) in particular time is recorded by remote sensing data. These data represent correct information sources for the analysis of the rate and spatial differentiation of two now dominant trends in the development of landscape: extension of urban fabric and abandonment of farmland followed by wasting. These processes are assessed based on the data concerning CORINE land cover (CLC) changes from 1990, 2000 and 2006 (CLC1990, CLC2000 and CLC2006), and other specified data derived from aerial images of built-up areas at the national and regional levels of Slovakia.

Endogenous potential and exogenous factors of local and regional development in Slovakia

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

RNDr. Székely Vladimír CSc.

Annotation:

In the last decades, intra- and interregional disparities in Slovakia have deepened. The dominant centralist conceptions of local and regional development that relied mainly on action of exogenous factors did not succeed in reducing or stabilizing the spatial disparities. One of identified causes was the insufficient analysis followed by inclusion of different local and regional specific features into the development strategies. The aim of the Project is to point to the significance of a decentralized approach to the development of localities and regions, with its typical traits that is identification, evaluation and mobilization of endogenous potential of the particular territory. We suppose the search for a balanced status between the rational use of two complementary spatial developmental approaches (bottom-up and top-down ones) is not only another option for the socio-economicgrowth of localities and regions but also a potential path to the reduction of spatial disparities and imbalanced quality of life.

Duration:

1.1.2012 – 31.12.2014

Povodňové riziko obcí Slovenska

Flood risk of municipalities in Slovakia

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

RNDr. Solín Ľubomír CSc.

Annotation:

Knowing flood risk level is the obligatory premise for efficient decision-making involved with flood control policy, strategy and allocation of finances into flood control measures. The aim of the project is to assess the flood risk of municipalities in Slovakia. The basis of the assessment is the analysis of attributes proper to floods and the vulnerability of economic, social and environmental system of muni-cipalities. The main attribute of floods taken into account in the project is the frequency of flood events. Economic vulnerability is represented by parameters concerning housing and fixed asset for economic sectors; social vulnerability is expressed by parameters associated with attributes of population, social status and ethnicity. Environmental vulnerability is expressed by parameters associated with pollution sources. The level of flood risk of the munici-palities in Slovakia is established by the combination of flood event frequency and vulnerability applying the method of multicriteria analysis.

Natural and human-induced geomorphological and sedimentary changes in river system

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

RNDr. Lehotský Milan CSc.

Annotation:

The project is aimed at research of natural and human-induced geomorphological and sedimentological changes in river systems in two large rivers (the Danube River, the Nile River), in selected gravel bed and wandering-braided river systems and two subterranean rivers. The long-term as well as short-term changes, human impacts on their morphological-sedimentary and land cover properties of riparian zone are investigated by using the multi-temporal analysis of remote sensed data as well as data obtained by field research campaings. The particular attention is paid to the research of geomorphic-sedimentary response to flood events. The project provides information on nature of rivers changes allowing assessment of rivers transformation intensity, and identification of their critical elements from the viewpoint of potential affect of human impact and consequences of floods. The project contributes to the conceptual modelling and forecasting of river behaviour as well as to their environmental management.

Regional and spatial disparities in Slovakia; development in the last decade, the present status and consequences

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

RNDr. Michálek Anton CSc.

Annotation:

The aim of the Project is to research into the present level, developments and changes of regional disparities RD) and spatial disparities (SD), result of important processes that took place in Slovakia in the last decade. The Project will focus on capturing the changes and tendencies of disparities between regions and model territories that took place after Slovakia joined the EU. The subject is the assessment of the regional policy of cohesion of the European Union and its effects on the present status and development of both the RD and SD – convergence or divergence of regional and disparities in model territories. Disparity analysis and assessments will be carried out on different hierarchic spatial levels. The logical output on the level of region will be the analysis and synthesis of selected relevant aspects of RD and SD, classification of regions into types and identification of existing marginal regions. SD will be observed in model territories.

Selected geographical aspects of the environment in Slovak regions and the country as a whole in international context

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

Prof. RNDr. Ira Vladimír CSc.

Annotation:

The aim of the project is the analysis of geographically relevant phenomena and processes connected with environmental changes in terms of sustainable development, nature protection, landscape management and increased quality of life on several hierarchic levels: international, national, regional and local. The sequences of steps is as follows: analysis of the state-of-art of the issue both in the national and international literature, preparation of the theoretical and methodological basis, updating of knowledge concerning the status and development of the environment through application of quantitative and qualitative methods, identification of economic activities and regions suitable for research. Subsequently developmental trends in the sphere of the environment and the nature, causes of changes that took place in the past decade will be identified based on topical data. The status and developments of the environment of the SR will be confronted with the international context using the international database and with regards to the international conventions.

Time-spatial analysis of land use: dynamics of changes, fragmentation and stability assessments by application of the CORINE land cover data layers

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

Prof. RNDr. Oťaheľ Ján CSc.

Annotation:

Social interests affect dynamics of changes in the landscape where the decisive driving forces are the political and economic decisions. These have very intensively changed the landscape of Slovakia in the past fifty years.Central governments controlled the trends in urbanization and socialist agriculture, as well as the nature of the landscape structure in the 1950s. The return to the market economy in the 1990s and accession of Slovakia to the European Union at the beginning of the millennium also brought about changes in the settlement andagricultural landscape structure. The concrete tool for landscape change assessment consists of aerial and satellite images, but also the CORINE land cover data layers for 1990, 2000 a 2006 (CLC90, CLC2000 a CLC2006). Landscape dynamics, fragmentation and stability assessment makes use of a comparison with the natural landscape potential, with demographic and economic indicators and also legally approved socio-economic function, which regulate the regional development.

Centre for the Settlement Infrastructure Development of the Knowledge Based Society (SPECTRA+)

Program:

Štrukturálne fondy EÚ Bratislavský kraj

Project leader:

Prof. RNDr. Ira Vladimír CSc.

Annotation:

Duration:

1.4.2009 – 31.12.2011

Komplexná dynamika geomorfologického systému rieky

Complex dynamic of river geomorphic system

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

RNDr. Lehotský Milan CSc.

Annotation:

The project is aimed at research of river geomorphic system dynamic methodologically based on the paradigm of system complexity. The hierarchical structure in selected river systems is analysed and its individual levels are identified. Their genesis and spatial aspects as well as aspects of human impacts on their morphological properties are investigated. Dynamics is analysed by examining of connectivity/disconnectivity of landforms and sediments fluxes at individual hierarchical levels. Knowledge about individual hierarchical levels properties, human impacts history as well as about landforms evolution and connectivity facilitate to detect non-linear trajectory of geo- and habitat diversity of fluvial geosystem and to predict its evolution at the river reach hierarchical level. The project contributes to understanding of morphology of Slovak rivers, to the progress of complex dynamic of river morphology and morphological basis of river habitats investigations as well as to the environmental management of river systems in the framework of worldwide trend.

Duration:

1.1.2009 – 31.12.2011

Regionálna variabilita povodňového rizika v malých povodiach SR

Regional variability of flood risk in small basins of the SR

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

RNDr. Solín Ľubomír CSc.

Annotation:

The project leans on the multidimensional approach to flood risk, which constitutes the combination of the probable occurrence of specified values corresponding to the maximum year discharges and the vulnerability of land cover, infrastructures and population to flooding. Assessment of flood risk at the national level is involved with the analysis of a possible application of certain simplifying as-sumptions with regard to the mapping of the flooded zones. Vulnerability assessment is based on regional variability of the flood hazard existing in small basins and easily accessible data about the nature of land cover and the nature of built-up areas, about regional variability of social and economic statuses of population in communes located in small basins. Identified regional classes of flood risk express the spatial differentiation of expected economic and social damage caused by the flood.

Regional winners and regional losers – identification of successful and less successful localities and regions in Slovakia

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

RNDr. Székely Vladimír CSc.

Annotation:

What makes some regions of Slovakia economically successful? Why are some localities and regions more successful than other? Should the economic performance be the only criterion of success? What is the cause of successfulness of pragmatically defined spatial unit which can but does not have to be the result of functional relationships in space? Do investors, migrants and tourists take into account to the evident spatial differentiation of Slovakia? Does their spatial choice behaviour differ depending on the nature of production (in the case of firm behaviour) or socio-demographic characteristics (in the case of individual behaviour)? The aim of the Project is to search answers to these questions by expressing spatial disparities identified both on the basis of selected socio-economic indicators and the differentiated medial picture of particular localities and regions as presented by the printed media and Internet.

Sustainability and quality of life in regions with emphasis on impacts of suburbanization and marginalization processes

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

Prof. RNDr. Ira Vladimír CSc.

Annotation:

The intention of the Project is to deepen the theoretical and methodological knowledge about sustainability and quality of life (QoL) on the one hand and to apply it to the research of selected regions in Slovakia on the other. The methodology relying on several time-spatial scales, objective and subjective dimensions of life quality, its several domains and a wide spectre of indicators will ensure the comprehensive geographical evaluation of sustainability and QoL in regions of Slovakia above all in relation to changes provoked by suburbanization and marginalizition processes. Sustainability and QoL will be analysed at various levels of territorial units and their perception and evaluation by population and decision-makers will be studied. The intention is to specify the content and structure of concepts sustainability and QoL, to comprehend of the the relationship between QoL and sustainable development, and to explain the specific spatial distribution of selected quality of life aspects.

Current state and perspective of the settlement structure development of Slovakia

Program:

APVV

Project leader:

Prof. RNDr. Ira Vladimír CSc.

Annotation:

The aim of the project is to assess the quality of settlement network in Slovakia and through created typology analyse the role of individual types in the settlement structure of the country. Postindistrialisation and postmodernization processes (emerging also in Slovakia) beg the question : what will be the role (function) of individual settlement types in the future development in relation to regional and supraregional development icluding international contexts. Existing character of settlemnt network in which rural settlemnt takes significant position, begs the question of posibilities and forms of mutual complementarities in society turning to the trajectory of posindustrialism and postmodernism.

Structure of the rural landscape: analysis of the development, changes and spatial organization by application of the CORINE land cover databases and the geographical information systems

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

Prof. RNDr. Oťaheľ Ján CSc.

Annotation:

The rural space accounts for the dominant part of the territory of Slovakia. Analysis of the rural landscape structure oriented to cognition of the natural potential and its social use is necessary for determination of the state of the landscape and for rational proposals concerning its further development. The landscape diagnosis is based on identification of natural (geoecological) and the present (human cultural) substructure, which includes land cover and the relevant socio-economic functions. Data layers of the natural landscape, CORINE land cover for the years 1990 and 2000 (CLC90 and CLC2000) and its socio-economic functions make it possible to assess the long-term development, changes, diversity, stability of land use, and spatial organization of the rural landscape in the GIS environment following the environmental principles. Assessment of the environmental quality and proposal of rural landscape organization on example of selected regions in Slovakia will be presented by means of cartographic outputs, tables, graphs and texts applicable for the purposes of landscape planning and management

Development of a European grassland monitoring & analysis service to assess climate change impact

Program:

Podpora MVTS z prostriedkov SAV

Project leader:

Doc. RNDr. Feranec Ján DrSc.

Annotation:

Duration:

6.4.2009 – 26.10.2009

Ekonomická výkonnosť a konkurencieschopnosť lokalít a regiónov

Economic performance and competitiveness of localities and regions

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

RNDr. Székely Vladimír CSc.

Annotation:

The aim of the Project is to characterise the spatial differentiation of Slovakia by means economic performance indicators, which express the interaction between the determinants of local and regional competitiveness. The theoretical part focused on spatial competitiveness will be followed by empirical research. Economic performance of region will be investigated by means of unemployment rate; regional competitiveness will be studied through activities of real and potential labour market actors (employers and employees). Differences in creation of attractive/discouraging picture of region or localities by media that are taken into account by potential investors, migrants and tourists are identified. Methods of geographical analysis are applied to assessment of impacts of different attractiveness of regions (localities) on varied forms of spatial mobility of population (migration, commuting to work, etc.).

Duration:

1.1.2006 – 31.12.2008

Identifikovanie a mapovanie povodňového rizika

Identification and mapping of flood risk

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

RNDr. Solín Ľubomír CSc.

Annotation:

The most recent trend in flood control measures is the integrated approach based on mutual combination of structu-ral and non-structural measures, which should lead to the cognition that the absolute protection is not possible and certain flood risk has to be accepted. This approach is preferred to that applied in the past which exclusively relied on application of engineering methods. The project proposes the following steps of research involved with flood risk: a) regional typification of flood risk for small basins in the SR corresponding to the 1990 land cover, b) identi-fication of changes in flood risk in small basins in the SR in the consequence of land cover changes which took place in 1990-2000, c) mapping of the inundated area in chosen basins which corresponded to the T-year dischar-ges and identification of differences in the extent of inundated area using the digital relief model with different resolution levels, d) presentation of example of the integrated approach to flood defence measures based on appli-cation of flood abating measures and non-structural flood management in a selected basin

Duration:

1.1.2006 – 31.12.2008

Potenciál využívania obnoviteľných zdrojov energie na území Slovenska

A potential for the use of renewable energies in the territory of Slovakia

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

Mgr. Cebecauer Tomáš PhD.

Annotation:

In association with a limited inventory of fossile fuel and growing need for a reduction of emissions and greenhouse gases, the use of renewable energies became one of inevitable solution for energy problems of the world. The aim of this project is thoroughly analyze possibilities for the use of renewable energies in the territory of Slovakia with focus on regional analysis and spatial aspects. In the project, the theoretical-methodological aspects of renewable energies potential will be conducted using spatial modeling in geographic information systems. A spatial database containing relevant natural and socio-economic conditions of the regions for renewable energies will be prepared. The possibilities for the use of the renewable energies in particular regions of Slovakia will be evaluated using a proposed efficiency model. The spatial database of the potential for the use of renewable energies will enable us to classify the territory of Slovakia according to the suitability for a particular type of renewable energy. The project will contribute to the complex evaluation of renewable energies abilities to fulfill sustainably the energy needs of Slovakia.

Duration:

1.1.2006 – 31.12.2008

Regióny a ich zmeny z hľadiska kvality a udržateľnosti života

Regions and their changes from the perspective of quality and sustainability of life

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

Prof. RNDr. Ira Vladimír CSc.

Annotation:

The focus of the research will be a geographical study of the quality and sustainability of life on the regions and their changes.The aim defined by authors of the proposed research project is to deepen the theoretical and methodological knowledge of geographical research in the field of quality and sustainability of life. Working with a hierarchical spatial framework the spectrum of geographically relevant objective and subjective indicators will be employed in order to specify the content and the structure of term ´quality of life´, to investigate spatial distribution of various life quality aspects, and to study relationships between quality of life and sustainable development. The multi-scale multi-indicator methodological procedure employed in the research will provide a comprehensive geographical assessment of the changes in quality and sustainability of life in the regions of Slovakia. Such an investigation can be of practical use for planners and decision makers faced with task of defining priorities for developmental policies and programmes

The Project is focused on cognition of evolution, classification and evaluation of fluvial systems. The methodologically consists of the analysis and interpretation of morphostructural and morphosculptural properties of basins and their environs, analysis of longitudinal and transversal profiles of valleys, floodplains and channels and of the elaboration of the river basins, valleys and channels evolution models. The conception of classification of fluvial geosystems is based on application of hierarchic classification of river morphology. In evaluation of fluvial geosystems the Project concentrates on elaboration of basic evaluating schemes applicable to estimation of rivers health conditions, response to natural threats and their management. The Project contributes to the rational rivers management in Slovakia within the meaning of the EU Water Framework Directive.

Duration:

1.1.2006 – 31.12.2008

Regionálne geomorfologické členenie Slovenska 1:50000

Regional geomorfologic division of Slovakia 1:50000

Program:

VEGA

Project leader:

RNDr. Urbánek Ján CSc.

Annotation:

Both digital and analogue maps of regional geomorphological division of Slovakia at scale 1:50 000 will be produced under the Project. The relief of Slovakia will be represented as a mosaic of hierarchically structured geomorphological wholes. The digital map will constitute one of the layers of the fundamental database of the Geographic Information System.